China has taken a significant step towards the future of transportation by approving the first group of automakers to conduct public road tests of vehicles equipped with advanced autonomous driving technologies. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) announced on Tuesday that nine automakers, including industry leaders BYD, Nio, Changan Automobile, GAC, and SAIC, have been granted permission to participate in these groundbreaking trials.
The pilot projects will be launched in seven major cities, among them Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The diverse range of intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) set to hit the roads includes passenger cars, buses, and trucks. Fleet operators, such as ride-hailing companies, will also be involved, marking a comprehensive approach to integrating autonomous driving into various facets of urban mobility.
Throughout the pilot phase, rigorous testing and safety assessments will be conducted. Data collected from these trials will be instrumental in evaluating the performance of ICVs and determining the best strategies for integrating them with existing traffic systems. The ultimate goal is to enhance overall road safety and pave the way for the commercialization of advanced autonomous driving technologies.
China’s progress in the field of autonomous vehicles has been remarkable. By April, the nation had established over 29,000 kilometers of dedicated test roads and issued more than 6,800 test licenses, resulting in an impressive 88 million kilometers of accumulated test mileage. According to the MIIT, some ICVs are now approaching the stage where mass production and application are feasible.
“The focus now shifts towards further enhancing functionality, performance, and most importantly, ensuring the highest level of safety,” stated an MIIT official. “By prioritizing these aspects, we aim to propel China’s ICV industry towards a future of high-quality development.”
Last November, China laid the groundwork for nationwide adoption of autonomous driving by releasing guidelines that allow drivers in test vehicles to take their hands off the wheel. Under these guidelines, the responsibility for safety falls on automakers and fleet operators, a move designed to accelerate the development and deployment of self-driving vehicles.
Liu Fawang, deputy director of the Equipment Industry Development Center at MIIT, explained that China’s industry standards define six levels of driving automation, from Level 0 (no automation) to Level 5 (full automation). “Currently, most vehicles sold on the Chinese market offer driver-assistance features from Level 0 to Level 2 (partial automation). For vehicles with autonomous driving functions from Level 3 (conditional automation) to Level 4 (high automation), access pilots are currently underway,” he said.
The MIIT anticipates that this trial will create a pathway for the commercialization of more advanced autonomous driving technologies. By fostering an environment where innovation in autonomous vehicles can flourish, China is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformative industry.
Meanwhile, global players are watching closely. According to Chinese media outlet Caixin, Tesla is eager to see its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system operating in China. Although Tesla introduced FSD four years ago, it has not yet been made available in China, which is the company’s second-largest market after the United States.
Reference(s):
China approves first public trials of advanced autonomous driving
cgtn.com
